GIBBON WORKSHOP FIELD GUIDE
Dances of the Cranes: Make a Nebraska Sky with Pastel, Paint and Feather
A focused, two-hour studio workshop in Gibbon pairing pastel landscapes with an abstract crane motif—this guide explains what to expect, where to meet, and how to prepare.
Dances of the Cranes: Make a Nebraska Sky with Pastel, Paint and Feather.
At the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary, MONA and guest instructor Susan Hart lead a hands-on session that asks participants to translate Nebraska’s flat light and crane season movement into pastel chalk, paint and a crafted feather. The workshop is a study in scale and simplicity: build a simple Nebraska landscape in pastel, then layer an abstract crane form and a craft feather to finish the piece.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Susan Hart — a Nebraska teacher and maker
Raised in Gibbon and living in rural Cozad, Susan Hart brings decades of classroom experience to these workshops. She holds a B.A. in art education from Kearney State College (1981), taught art for 17 years in Dawson County schools, continues to teach workshops for MONA, and has work in the permanent collections of the Museum of Nebraska Art, Doane University and York College.
Pastel landscapes topped with mixed-media cranes
The session focuses on building a simple Nebraska landscape with pastel chalk, then applying an abstract crane using paint and a craft feather — a compact progression from background to focal element that emphasizes texture and gesture.
A workshop tuned to crane season
Presented by Rowe Sanctuary in collaboration with the Museum of Nebraska Art, the class celebrates the dance of the crane and explores the junction between art and local wildlife through a variety of media.
What the day feels like
What the two-hour session feels like
This is a focused, hands-on studio experience: after arrival and a brief orientation, participants work in pastel to lay in a simple Nebraska landscape, then switch to paint and mixed media to suggest the crane. Expect guided demonstrations, step-by-step instruction, and time to complete a single mixed-media piece in about two hours.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who gets the most out of this workshop — and who should think twice.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The workshop is scheduled for Monday, March 23, 2026 and runs approximately two hours.
The session works in pastel chalk, paint and craft feathers; materials and instruction are central to the class description. Plan to bring any personal items you prefer (gloves, an apron, or personal mask) though specific personal gear requirements are not listed.
Meet at the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary, 44450 Elm Island Rd, Gibbon NE 68840. Expect to arrive 10–15 minutes before the start time for check-in.
The stated cost is $30 per adult and $30 per young adult (ages 14–17).
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
When should I arrive?
Please plan to arrive 10–15 minutes prior to your start time.
Where do we meet?
Meet at the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary, 44450 Elm Island Rd, Gibbon NE 68840.
How long is the workshop?
The workshop runs approximately two hours.
What does the workshop cost?
The cost is $30 per adult and $30 per young adult (ages 14–17).
Who is leading the workshop?
The session is led by Susan Hart, an artist and longtime Nebraska art educator who teaches MONA workshops and whose work appears in several institutional collections.
Can I request accessibility accommodations?
Please indicate requests for accommodations when registering so the organizers can make appropriate arrangements.